Georgia’s General Assembly

Georgia’s General Assembly Georgia’s Constitution mandates that there shall be 180 members of the House of Representatives (each speaking for 30,000 citizens), and such membership shall be proportioned among the representative districts provided for in Chapter 2 of this title. There shall be 56 members of the Senate (each speaking for 146,000 citizens), and such membership shall be apportioned among the senatorial districts provided for in Chapter 2 of this title

Georgia’s General Assembly The General Assembly meets for a 40-day session starting the second week of January each year. The Senate and House convene daily at 10:00 a.m. at the state capital unless otherwise ordered and meet in separate chambers on opposite sides of the 3rd floor of the Capital.

Qualifications to Serve State Senate - Must be 25 years old Citizen of the U.S. Citizen of Georgia for two years Legal resident of the territory embraced within the district from which elected for at least one year.

Qualifications to Serve State House of Representatives Must be 21 years old Citizen of the U.S. Citizen of Georgia for two years Legal resident of the territory embraced within the district from which elected for at least one year.

Unlike other government officials who are elected full-time to public service, the legislature is composed of part-time member who are occupied in another business or profession when they are not carrying out legislative duties. Some are attorneys Business Owners Farming Education Variety of other occupations

The are paid for their services Reimbursed for travel expenses Encouraged to take classes relevant to their positions at taxpayer expense.

Presiding Officers State Speaker of the House – Presides over the House of Representatives Elected every two years by the membership Senate The Lieutenant Governor acts as president over senate Both the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor can appoint committee members Assign bills to committees Recognize members who want to speak on the chamber floor

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills can be introduced in either the Senate or the House With the exception of revenue and appropriations bills, which must originate in the House A member of House or Senate can initiate a bill File with clerk of House File with Secretary of Senate Not later than one hour before adjournment.

How a Bill Becomes a Law The Bill is read in chambers the next day and each member has a printed copy on his or her desk to study. When bill is read, it is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker Referral to one of the standing committees depends on topic of bill.

How a Bill Becomes a Law On 2nd legislative day, in the House only, the bill is read for the second time so it will be ready for action by the House when it is reported on by the committee In Senate, the 2nd reading comes after a favorable committee report

How a Bill Becomes a Law If bill survives debate, a vote is taken If the measure receives a majority (91) votes of yes, it is passed and sent to the second house for consideration The second house can either pass the bill or defeat it. If passed unamended, the bill is sent to the governor who can sign it into law or veto it. If legislation is amended in either House or Senate, it is returned for consideration.

How a Bill Becomes a Law When House and Senate disagree about amended portions, the presiding officers of each body appoint members to a conference committee to negotiate compromise This compromise must be then approved by a majority of both the house and Senate After the bill is final, it is sent to the governor

How a Bill Becomes a Law If the governor signs the bill or does nothing, the bill becomes law All bills vetoed by the governor are sent back to the presiding officer of the branch of the General Assembly where it originated. List of reasons vetoed included Veto of governor can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate When this happens, the bill becomes law

How a Bill Becomes a Law All bills – those passed and approved by the governor Those on which the veto of the governor is overridden Those on which no final action is taken Become permanent records in the office of the Secretary of State. New Laws generally become effective the following July 1

Amending the Constitution Two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers must vote in favor of the proposed amendment Then passed on to the voters in the next general election If a majority of the people vote in favor of the amendment, it will be ratified.